Have you ever heard the phrase "doubting Thomas"? Among some of us church-going types this is shorthand for someone who must experience things personally, intimately in order to believe in them. It has sometimes been uttered with a shade off condescension, as though doubting is rather shameful. But Christ did not indicate any such judgement; rather he gave Thomas a special blessing to help him find his way through his doubt.
Actually I believe that if we never doubt, never question, then our faith is only a second-hand faith based on something another person told us. But God offers so much more. When we open the deepest desires of our heart to ask God to help us understand, to find truth we often experience some pretty amazing things crafted by a loving God to help us experience personally God's love for us.
If you have never known such a personal relationship with God, today is a great day to offer God your whole heart, asking for God's dearest blessings. It may come in baby steps or it may come in an avalanche because God knows exactly what you need.
Lord Jesus, let me see your hands in my life. Let my broken heart seek You even when I am not quite sure what that means. It is scary to give up this idea of being in control so I ask that You open me to experience Your trustworthiness with my whole self. Still the voices that seek to keep me focused on the World. Send the gift of the Spirit. Yes, Lord, awesome is exactly the word to describe You; thank you. AMEN
[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” - John 20:27
PS - check this out if you would like to know how the whole thing with Thomas worked out: St. Thomas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malankara_Orthodox_Syrian_Church
Actually I believe that if we never doubt, never question, then our faith is only a second-hand faith based on something another person told us. But God offers so much more. When we open the deepest desires of our heart to ask God to help us understand, to find truth we often experience some pretty amazing things crafted by a loving God to help us experience personally God's love for us.
If you have never known such a personal relationship with God, today is a great day to offer God your whole heart, asking for God's dearest blessings. It may come in baby steps or it may come in an avalanche because God knows exactly what you need.
Lord Jesus, let me see your hands in my life. Let my broken heart seek You even when I am not quite sure what that means. It is scary to give up this idea of being in control so I ask that You open me to experience Your trustworthiness with my whole self. Still the voices that seek to keep me focused on the World. Send the gift of the Spirit. Yes, Lord, awesome is exactly the word to describe You; thank you. AMEN
[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” - John 20:27
PS - check this out if you would like to know how the whole thing with Thomas worked out: St. Thomas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malankara_Orthodox_Syrian_Church
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